Death Hovers Behind

by J. Hunter Richardson

A collection of macabre, morose, and mysterious horror stories for only the most morbid readers. Cosmic entities, urban legends, campy killers, alternate dimensions, and gruesome body horror are at the un-beating heart of the unsettling tales contained within this tome of terror.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2025

Reviews

[beth]

Firstly thank you to J.Hunter Richardson for sending an early copy my way, always blessed to be able to review books early but especially from someone who has been so kind since I showed my support for his debut, you’re always welcome at the bloodridge motel. ❤️

I was super excited to read this short story collection, I was a big fan of you’re always welcome at the bloodridge motel and have been itching to read some new material from J. Hunter Richardson and I was not disappointed. I did not expect to like this even more from the bloodridge motel. Especially as someone who is not someone who usually delves into many short story collections but this was phenomenal.

There was not a single short story that I did not enjoy while reading, I devoured this in two separate sittings and found it hard to not just binge, hence it only taking me two sittings. The writing is as always, sublime.

Each story has so much eeriness and uneasiness towards it, packed full of ghastly horrors.

Sinkhole had many scenes that completely brought me back to the rats by James Herbert. An experience I’ll never forget, this felt very reminiscent of that. Gory and delightful.

My favourite 3 stories in this collection were;
Destructive behaviour, the cherry man & sinkhole. It was hard to choose, but those were the ones I found myself guessing the most on, trying to unravel as I read through them.

This entire collection is brilliant, now that is really hard to achieve when you’re writing a collection of stories, some usually fall flat (king is very good at this…) so this was remarkable. I’ve never been so engrossed in a collection before, wanting to absorb all the horrors inside.

I had a blast reading these, truly had such a fun reading experience and feel super proud of J. Hunter Richardson for coming back and providing us with a big collection of horror stories. It’s not easy to achieve another great book, especially when the first was as good as it is. However, he’s achieved so much with this collection. I’m excited to see what’s next.

Don’t ever stop writing these stories, Jay.

[Robin Ginther-Venneri]

Death Hovers Behind
By J. Hunter Richardson
Publisher: Independently Published
Publication date: July 3, 2025
ASIN: B0F9QWXCGK
Page Count: 292
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀 (a buffet of dread, pick your poison)

Triggers: Self-harm, addiction, depression, body horror, violence, cosmic dread

This book is a carnival ride where the ticket booth says funhouse but the operator cackles and sends you straight into the meat grinder. Mr. J. Hunter Richardson’s short story collection is a feast of the macabre, ranging from cosmic nightmares to campfire chills, from splattery gore to quiet psychological despair. It’s a smorgasbord of horror, and the chef isn’t taking requests.

What makes this collection sing is that it’s not just jump scares and blood puddles. These stories carry weight. You’ll find cosmic entities brushing shoulders with loneliness, urban legends tangled up in addiction, and body horror side-by-side with characters so broken you almost want to hug them (if only they weren’t dripping with something unspeakable). Some stories even bring tears, proving Mr. Richardson can twist the knife emotionally as well as physically.

Favorites? The Cherry Man, Sinkhole, and Destructive Behavior—each one clever, creepy, and impossible to shake off. And unlike some big-name horror authors who will remain nameless (cough King cough), Richardson doesn’t pad the setlist with filler. Every tale earns its place, which is rare in collections this size.

What Did I Just Walk Into?
A mixtape of nightmares where every track slaps, whether it’s cosmic doom, campy gore, or psychological gut-punches.

Here’s What Slapped:
No weak links—every story lands

Balances campfire fun with emotional gut-checks

Writing that’s sharp, unsettling, and addictive

What Could’ve Been Better:
Not much. Unless you count “my sleep schedule” as collateral damage.

Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Tales from the Crypt energy with modern bite
Short horror that makes you laugh nervously before turning on all the lights
Collections where you can snack on a story or binge the whole grisly banquet

P.S. Richardson has officially joined my auto-buy list.

Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review.

[Adam]

Death Hovers Behind is more than just a collection of short stories; it’s a sometimes stark exploration of the human mind under significant duress. Each tale is meticulously crafted, transporting the reader not only into these horror-filled worlds but also into the minds and psyches of diverse characters. These stories venture into realms steeped in traditional horror tropes, yet they do so in truly unique and captivating ways. Some of them genuinely brought me to tears, not because of the horror elements, but because of the characters’ grappling with loneliness, self-harm, addiction, and depression. This realism anchors the characters even when fantastical beasts and supernatural occurrences invade the narrative. While some stories may not be suitable for everyone due to their deep and thought-provoking writing, I found it exceptionally well-crafted, even when certain descriptions posed challenges in my imagination. This collection is an invaluable addition to any horror or psychological thriller’s library. I eagerly anticipate reading more from the author, who also penned another one of my favorite novels, “You’re Always Welcome at the Bloodridge Hotel.” I highly recommend this collection, considering it makes an excellent casual read for horror enthusiasts.

[Kerissa Smalltowncutie38]

This collection of short stories is brilliant. As someone who grew up on tales from the crypt and loved the campy stories this was everything I loved and enjoyed to see again. I loved the creepiness of the stories but at the same time it wasn’t so bad that I was scared to go to bed, but still the creepiness of the stories made you sit there and think for a moment! I really love the vibes and it is perfect for all those who love camp fire stories and a bit of nostalgia of tales from the crypt or afraid of the dark, or the twilight zone.

[Jennifer Cloutier]

This book is spooky and thrilling, with each store leaving you on the edge of your seat. The first story was my favorite, leaving me feeling so many emotions. It was short, but it packed a punch. My second favorite was The Sinkhole. I kept thinking I knew where it was going, but every time I was wrong.

Each story, no matter the length, lends to the overall intensity of the book as a whole. It was so much fun to read!

[Tristan Zelden]

Short story collections highlight why horror is the best. It can showcase a variety of stories to show the breadth of the genre, but also how far and deep it can go in different themes. J. Hunter Richardson displays a masterclass of storytelling and a brilliant understanding of horror, both as a genre and what you can say within this sandbox.

[Sheila]

3.5 ⭐️’s

[Ta'Mara]

4.5 loved this collection the last story really hit me in the feels

[Amy]

4.5⭐️- Wow! This book took my brain and gave it a spin! Each short story is different from the rest. However, they are all nightmares that kept me needing to read every one of them in this book.